There are two main philosophies around the
treatment of illnesses. The conventional approach looks at disease as
the actual problem, whereas the holistic approach, which utilizes
herbal remedies, sees the disease as an outcome of systems
dysfunctioning within the body. In conventional medicine, the illness
is treated as a series of symptoms seen as a result of the illness that
unfortunately occurred within the body. Medicinal treatments function
to soothe these symptoms and enable management of the disease.
Unfortunately, these “medicines” are wrought with negative and
uncomfortable side effects. This is because treatment usually involves
poisoning and killing the bad bacteria, cells, mold, or whatever that
has been identified as bringing on the illness. However, this also
means that the good cells, bacteria, and so on, which are the very
components most needed during illness, are also killed, casualties of
the treatment. The result is that such treatments further weaken the
systems within the body, leaving it even more susceptible to illness,
which often create a vicious downward spiral of illness followed by
treatment, followed by more illness, and possibly death.
Another philosophy, the holistic approach, uses natural healing
methods, including herbal remedies, which enable the body to heal
itself. The practitioner doctor looks at the body as a whole, viewing
all systems working harmoniously together to run the amazing machine
that is our body; this is where the word “holistic” comes from. When
there is a breakdown within one or more systems, the doctor looks for
the cause of the breakdown, such as the body being exposed to too much
continued stress and over-tiredness, resulting in a shortage of certain
vitamins or minerals, all which contribute to the system lacking the
materials needed to run efficiently. Herbs can be chosen to add needed
vitamins and minerals to gradually and gently balance deficiencies
within the body. The above is just a simple example of how herbal
remedies can be incorporated into care. In many cases, herbal remedies
can be used to augment specific areas within the body. An example would
be the body suffering from an invasive virus causing cold or flu.
Eating large amounts of raw garlic will quickly stop the virus in its
tracks. This is because garlic, called the number one antibiotic for
herbs, contains allicin, a strong antibiotic agent, and sulphur
compounds, which strengthen the immune system as well as fight
infection. An antibiotic remedy, called the “Enhanced Garlic Formula”,
calls for 1 part each of garlic powder and powdered calcium ascorbate
(form of vitamin C) mixed with ¼ part Cayenne powder (L. Thomas, 1992).
One of the benefits around the use of herbal remedies is there are
almost never any negative side effects, when used correctly. Carefully
chosen herbs work gently on the body, and are not intrusive. Also,
because it is natural, herbs tend to complement the body’s systems,
instead of working or fighting against them. Herbal remedies can be
used as both a preventative measure as well as a way to help balance
the body when it has broken down and is suffering from chronic illness,
such as cancer, stroke, heart attack, or high blood pressure. For
example, hawthorn- dried berries, leaves, or flowers- is the primary
herb for toning and strengthening the heart and cardiovascular system.
It is a very safe internal herb for the heart, and can be used for
congestive heart failure and angina, among other conditions. Hawthorn
increases blood flow to the heart muscle itself, counteracting death
resulting from heart attack, which is from lack of blood flow to the
heart. The recommended dosage of hawthorn for those with heart disease
is 300-450 milligrams every day. As a preventative measure, 100-150 mg
will do. Of course any treatment should be overseen by a qualified
doctor well versed with the actions and interactions of herbs, and may
be used jointly with conventional medicine. However, many have found
herbal treatment to work well enough on its own, when care is being
properly directed from a qualified person.
Many conventional drugs used today to treat various illnesses
originated from the natural healing properties found in herbs. A good
example is aspirin, which was originally derived from willow bark for
its salicylic content. Through the years, scientists found ways to
isolate beneficial compounds found in medicinal plants and create them
synthetically in a lab. This was done for multiple reasons. It was more
cost effective, as plants vary in potency depending on where they are
grown, as well as the growing conditions, which, when these compounds
are simplified and copied, can be controlled. With synthetic
production, risk of contamination from wrongly identified plant
specimen or even contamination from pesticides and other conditions can
also be eliminated. And most important, it was economically
advantageous to isolate – and patent – individual components of the
medicinal herbs seen as beneficial to combating illness.
However, with the introduction and predominant use of synthetic drugs
on the market, other unforeseen issues cropped up. The main drawback to
these synthetics is its very unpleasant and frequently dangerous side
effects that range from mild allergic reactions to poisoning the body’s
systems to the point of shutdown. The culprit is usually the result of
synthetic medicines using potent compounds that were initially isolated
from plants, but were not copied over in entirety. (Remember the patent
approach). A simplified example is vitamin C, which has only recently
been found to work incompletely within the body because, among other
things, was missing flavonoids. Scientists still are far from having a
complete understanding of the human body, and as a result, synthetic
medicine can have unforeseen and long-lasting destruction on the body.
The best that medicine can be expected to do at this time is manage the
effects of disease and illness, with the hope that enough of the
negative cells and bacteria are eliminated before the whole body system
collapses.
The holistic approach centers on prevention and identifying at-risk
areas of health before it becomes a problem. Conventional medicine has
become little more than disease management. Conventional medicine may
be beneficial for acute injuries, such as a car accident, broken bones,
heat stroke, frostbite, and the like; however chronic conditions such
as the flu, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer can all benefit from a
more holistic approach that incorporates herbal remedies into a regimen
of care.
Article Source: http://
www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/herbal-
remedies-vs-conventional-medicine-339235.html About the Author
Aurelia & Kennon Ward are founders of a
new company called Herbal Vista LLC, and Selfgrowth.com Official Guides
to Herbal
Remedies.
Kennon is both a Reiki Master and herbalist, specializing in preparing
specialty healing teas (coming soon on www.herbalvista.com). Aurelia
was trained in research and development, and studies aromatherapy. For
more information, visit
www.herbalvista.com,
or e-mail Aurelia at: award@herbalvista.com.
|
